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Emotions ran high in Waco as family members paid tribute to the first responders who died in the West fertilizer plant explosion. (Published Thursday, Apr 25, 2013)

Updated at 7:36 PM CST on Thursday, Apr 25, 2013

Hundreds of first responders and their families gathered in Waco, Texas, Thursday to honor 12 first responders killed in last week's explosion in the nearby town of West. Fifteen people died and more than 200 were injured in the fertilizer plant blast that nearly leveled parts of the town.

In a video tribute played at the memorial service, families of the fallen recalled their fathers, husbands, brothers and friends, in emotional clips that played on a big screen behind a dozen flag-draped coffins.

Joseph Pustejousky's wife recalled his dimples, and through tears, she said words could not express how much she's going to miss him.

Cody Dragoo's brother-in-law remembered his sister's beloved "Montana mountain man" who moved down to Texas and wooed her.

West Memorial: Gov. Rick Perry Speaks

Gov. Rick Perry addresses the audience at the memorial for West first responders in Waco. (Published Thursday, Apr 25, 2013)

Captain Douglas Snokhous' daughter remembered her "Daddy and Uncle Bob," Robert Snokhous, who both died in the blast. She said she couldn't wait to tell her infant son about what a hero his grandpa was.

President Barack Obama, who had traveled to Waco for the memorial service, said he could not "match the power of the voices" in the video eulogies and said "no words adequately describe the courage that was displayed on that deadly night."

"While the light coming from the darkness is not as bright as we want it to be, it exists," Gardner said.

"We will always love and support you as your family member loved and supported us," Gardner said to the families of first responders lost in the blaze. "We will also remember them. They will not be forgotten."

West Remembers Victims of Fertilizer Plant Fire

The event at the Ferrell Center at Baylor University was organized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Texas Line of Duty Death Task Force.

Ahead of the memorial Thursday, 1,000 firefighters from Texas and around the country rode in a motorcycle procession through the city of Waco, many with flags on the backs of their bikes.

The town of West is still struggling to its feet after the April 17 explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. plant killed 15 people, injured hundreds, destroyed 140 homes and wrought havoc on the town's infrastructure.

The Red Cross is now assisting 180 families, and a boil order is still in effect for drinking water.